ARCATA – Sophomore quarterback Gem Boyd connected with sophomore Ashton Gall with 3:26 left in the fourth quarter for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown for West Hills College Coalinga in its 27-21 victory at College of the Redwoods on Saturday.
The Falcons have won now two straight after dropping their season opener and head into next week's bye with a 2-1 overall record.
"It was a great team win on the road," said head coach Justin Berna. "I think our discipline really showed in the fourth quarter. Our defense stopped them when they had to and we executed well on offense during our final scoring drive."
Early in the fourth quarter, Redwoods drive the length of the field and was deep in Falcons' territory. On 2nd and 10 from the West Hills' 15-yard line, Redwoods appeared to score a touchdown but was called back due to a personal foul. On the ensuing play, Maleik Bradford came up big with a forced fumble and recovery on the 10-yard line.
Boyd, making his second start in place of injured quarterback Jett Garcia, came up with big plays when West Hills needed it most. Facing 3rd down and 17 from the Redwoods 48, Boyd hit Brandon Tryon for a 33-yard reception. A Falcons' penalty pushed the ball back to the 30, but Boyd followed that with his 30-yard strike to Gall for the touchdown.
The defense put together one final stop on Redwoods' final drive while the offense needed a first down to secure the victory before taking a knee to run out the clock.
Boyd threw for 312 yards on 21 of 42 passing with a pair of TDs and an interception. He also ran for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Tryon needed just 4 receptions for 114 yards while KJ Ford had 8 catches for 89 yards. Daniel Nelson hauled in a 13-yard touchdown from Boyd in the third, one of three receptions on the day.
On defense, Darrise Bridgett led with 6 tackles while Jermaine Harris had 4 tackles and was in on 2 sacks. Darrell Tripline and Rudy Valdez both had interceptions for the Falcons.
